Gracie Keener to perform in final show of Caryl Crane Youth Theatre season

By BRIAN MARSHALL
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Apr 18, 2018 at 7:00 PM

HURON — A local award-winning actress has the lead role in the international smash hit “Blood Brothers,” which closes out the Caryl Crane Youth Theatre season.

Gracie Keener, a high school senior, is a seven-year member of BGSU Firelands’ College Caryl Crane Youth Theatre program. She will be in “Blood Brothers,” which will run April 26 through 28 at the McBride Auditorium at BGSU Firelands.

Keener received back-to back best actress awards at the iTheatrics’ Junior Theatre Festival (JTF2018) in Atlanta for the roles of Ida in “Honk!” (2017) and Rafiki in “Disney’s The Lion King” (2018). “Blood Brothers” will be her final Caryl Crane show.

She also has been selected by JTF2018 to record two new Broadway Jr. cast albums as part of the Music Theatre International Choreography DVD program. In the fall, Keener will attend The University of Albany, where she will study musical theater.

Led by Keener, “Blood Brothers” tells the captivating and moving story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be reunited by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret. The memorable score includes “A Bright New Day,” “Marilyn Monroe” and the emotionally charged hit, “Tell Me It’s Not True.”

When Mrs Johnstone, a young mother deserted by her husband and left to provide for seven hungry children, takes a job as a housekeeper in order to make ends meet. It is not long before her brittle world crashes around her when she discovers herself to be pregnant — this time with twins. In a moment of weakness and desperation, she enters a secret pact with her employer, which leads inexorably to the show’s shattering climax.

Featuring members of Caryl Crane’s award-winning competition team (best production, JTF 2018), “Blood Brothers” is not to be missed. This production is rated PG-13 for some language and violent subject matter.

The three performances are at 7 p.m. April 26 and 27 and again at 7:30 p.m. April 28 in the McBride Auditorium at BGSU Firelands College. Tickets are $6-$12 and may be purchased by calling 419-626-1950 or online at www.sanduskystate.com. Tickets for BGSU faculty and staff are $8 and BGSU students are $6.